Today, we’re talking about some of our favorite snacks that we enjoy nearly every time we visit Walt Disney World or Disneyland. Dig out your stretchy pants, or plan to do an extra lap on the treadmill, and let’s do this!

Cheshire Cake Cup

Who doesn’t love a ginormous cupcake? You know I’m a big fan of these edible works of art. But at the end of the day, I pretty much see them as frosting delivery systems. So you can imagine my delight when I got wind of Cake Cups at Magic Kingdom’s Cheshire Cafe!

Layers of alternating cake and frosting make a parfait-style dessert that’s hard to resist.

Cheshire Cake Cup at Cheshire Cafe

I know, I know. I talk about these a lot. But I figure if there’s something I NEVER miss when I’m at the Magic Kingdom, I should take every opportunity to suggest it so you don’t miss it either.

These are the closest snacks I’ve found to them just giving me a bowl of frosting and a spoon, soooooo, yeah.

Dole Whip

Next up is one of my favorite Disney snacks of all time, the classic Dole Whip.

Oh, sure, you have your cult classics. Your Turkey Legs. Your Mickey Bars. And they’re great. But if there’s one snack I must have every time I’m at either Disneyland (umbrellas and cherries!!!!) or Walt Disney World, it’s some variety of Dole Whip.

This creamy pineapple-flavored soft serve made news here on Disney Food Blog for a different reason last year, when we brought you word not of what it is — but what it isn’t! Seems that our favorite Disney chilly treat is now Vegan, Dairy Free, and Gluten Free!

Dole Whip Float at Disneyland’s Tiki Juice Bar — My Favorite!

So if you’re looking to indulge in a creamy, delicious snack, but [Read more…]

So, you’re in Disney World, but for whatever reason, you don’t want to use a park ticket that morning/night/afternoon/arrival day/leaving day. No problemo!!

You can still cross some of the best Disney snacks off your must-eat list…even without scanning a single ticket/magicband/key to the World card!

Everyone knows that you can get a Mickey Bar all over the place in Disney World (you DID know that, right?), but we’ve got a few more must-try eats to share with you today! Time to check out our 5 Must Eat Disney Snacks You Can Get Without a Park Ticket!

Dole Whip

UPDATE: Dole Whip is no longer being served at Captain Cook’s, is no longer self-serve, and is no longer available 24 hours a day. BUT — you still can get it outside of the Parks. You’ll now find Dole Whip at the Pineapple Lanai in Disney’s Polynesian Village. You can also get a Dole Whip Float at Pineapple Lanai!

Let’s start with the granddaddy of them all, the Big Kahuna of Disney Must Have Treats, the stuff that legends and t shirts are made of. Ladies and gentleman, we are talking about the Dole Whip here, of course.

This frosty, delicious treat has a bona fide cult following that has blown up and taken over mainstream! You simply cannot visit Disney without having one, whether it’s a float (my favorite!) or a cup.

Dole Whip

The pineapple soft serve, which is both vegan and gluten-free, is the perfect refreshing dessert on a sunshiny day!

Even though there are few things that say “I’m at Disney right now!!!!!!” more loud and proud than strolling through Magic Kingdom, Dole Whip Float from Aloha Isle in hand, it’s great to know that you don’t ever have to head into the parks to score one of these babies!

If you’re craving some of that tropical goodness and you aren’t on park time, just head over to Captain Cook’s Snack Company at Disney’s Polynesian Resort to get your fix! The Poly’s counter service spot is not only home to some deee-licious fast fare, but they also have Dole Whip machines that pump out the yum dessert.

Dole Whip (Almost) 24-7!

And here’s a BIG OL’ TIP: You can get a Dole Whip here all day…and all night!! long. Note, they DO shut down the machine for, like, one hour each night to clean it (believe me, I’ve been disappointed during that one hour before); so just avoid the 3AM Dole Whip craving and you’re good to go.

Zebra Domes

Ah, Zebra Domes. How (much) do I love thee? Enough to truck all the way over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge regardless of where I’m staying, that’s how much.

These little half-spheres first called to us from the buffet of Boma, one of Animal Kingdom Lodge’s most celebrated table service restaurants. Sure, we love Boma for their exotic dinner fare (those soups!), their carved meats and interesting condiments, and their delicious breakfast spread. But one thing’s for sure: a trip here must end with at least one Zebra Dome.

A Herd of Zebra Domes

The creamy, rich mousse domes taste like nothing you’ve ever had. That’s because the secret special ingredient is [Read more…]

For guests visiting Walt Disney World or Disneyland with a special diet, the popular Dole Whip treat is now just about the perfect snack! Dole Whip’s fruit flavors are now vegan! And Dole Whip has always been gluten free.

Dole Whip fruit flavors are now vegan!

At least, they are according to the official Dole Whip Mix website – Unified Enterprises Corporation. You can now enjoy any fruit flavor of Dole Whip on your vegan and/or gluten free diet!

Taken From Website of Unified Enterprises Corp

At Disney, you’ll find pineapple Dole Whips! There’s also an option for a Dole Whip Float, which adds pineapple juice to the mix. (The vanilla flavor that has been offered at some locations is not considered vegan at this time.)

Shula’s Steak House at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is offering a special today for Dads!

Of course, there’s more! Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including a New Egg White Omelet at the Kona Cafe and a Newly Erupting Volcano at the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney Orlando.

DFB Reader Finds

If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or from Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!

DFB Reader Janel sent us a “plate full of goodies” from Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. YUM!

Breakfast at Chef Mickey's!

If you’re hankering for some French Toast, DFB Reader Brian tempts us with this photo of the creme brulee version from the Pepper Market at Coronado Springs Resort. Also, watch for a DFB review coming soon!

Breakfast at Pepper Market.

Dad’s Day SALE: The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book!

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2013 e-Book is fully updated for 2013 visits, and is now available for purchase and download to help you make the most of your dining opportunities while in Disney World.

If you purchased the 2012 Guide and would like to purchase the 2013 Guide, we’ve got a special discount for repeat purchasers. Email me here to get a limited-time, one-use, exclusive discount code to purchase the 2013 Guide at a $6 discount. Please include the email address you used to purchase the 2012 Guide in the body of your email.

For more detailed information and screen shots from the e-Book, head over to DFBGuide.com! With a 100% money-back guarantee, you have nothing to lose!

Disney Food News

Check out the review of the new Chicken Provencal dish at Be Our Guest Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom!

Of course, there’s more! Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including N’Awlins Brunch Fest at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, World of Color Picnic Meals Discontinued at Disneyland, Raglan Road receives award, New Sandwich at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, and Jiko announced South African winemakers dinner.

DFB Reader Finds

If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or from Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!

We love it when readers spot new menu items or new-to-us food! Reader Tomara sent us news of a Chicken Deluxe Sandwich at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe in the Magic Kingdom. This sandwich replaces the Chicken Wrap.

Deluxe Chicken Sandwich!

Facebook friend Cindy shared a bit of Hawai’i with us. “I recently returned from a great trip to Disney Aulani. I love your cupcake reports and wanted to let you know they are not to be missed in Hawaii. Here is a photo of the Pineapple Macadamia Nut cupcake. Enjoy!”

Pineapple Macadamia Nut Cupcake!

Have you spotted an interesting Disney food related item? Don’t forget to share it with us!

With over 250 pages of delicious snacks, the DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios Snacks will be the third — and long-awaited — book in our DFB Guide Snacks Series! It will be released VERY soon…but I wanted to share a little sneak peek for you!

As always, you can look forward to an instantly downloadable PDF guide with comprehensive information and advice on well over 200 delicious snacks that you can savor at the Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios parks in the Walt Disney World resort. (And that’s just so far…we’re not finished with the guide yet, so there may MANY more than 200 featured by the time we’re done!)

I was on the hunt for the Chocolate Beer cupcake at Captain Cook’s, which sounded heavenly when I learned about it on the Disney Food Blog.

That article also mentioned the PB&J cupcake… though at the time I was too distracted by the words “chocolate” and “pretzels” and “beer” to take much notice.

Alas, on my recent visit the Chocolate Beer Pretzel was unavailable. So after about five minutes of staring at it through the case (I have to admit, I wasn’t sure about this one), I grabbed the PB&J Cupcake.

PB&J Cupcake in Bakery Case

PB&J Cupcake

A vanilla cake base topped with white vanilla frosting, the “PB” is in the chips on top -— and they don’t skimp! I was able to taste peanut butter in every bite.

PB&J Cupcake Close-Up

So, where is the “J”? It’s all in the middle. Sorry, strawberry jam fans -— this is GRAPE JELLY all the way!

Jelly in PB&J Cupcake

I had assumed, what with the GIGANTIC pile of sweet vanilla frosting over the cake base, that the PB&J flavors would almost be an accent, or even an afterthought.